Though labeled the "Garden City," Bengaluru is suffering from a growing waste crisis that damages both its appearance and public protection. Stringent regulations combined with fines have not kept the habit of dumping trash on the road away. Not long ago, renowned Kannada actor Aniruddha took to South Bengaluru to challenge the state of the town's cleanliness under the guise of making a "reality check".
The Reality Check - JP Nagar & Shakambari Nagar
To witness the situation firsthand, actor Aniruddha visited JP Nagar 1st Phase and the Shakambari Nagar Main Road. What he found was alarming: whole stretches of the main road were buried under heaps of garbage. With an ocean of plastic bags, food waste — to dried twigs, construction debris — the rubbish was spread around the thoroughfare.
The actor argued that pedestrian footpaths, which were supposed to be protected to the people, have also become unofficial dumping grounds. The common people are now forced to walk along the main roads, risking being hit by speeding traffic on the way.
A Failure of Governance and Civic Sense?
Aniruddha identified a double whammy during his visit:
- Administrative Apathy: Though the debris is everywhere, there is a "don't care" attitude among some officials and ground-level staff. Violators are emboldened by the absence of regular clearance and monitoring.
- Lack of Civic Responsibility: Even fear of fines, the actor said, hasn’t stopped people dumping waste outside of their homes or on public thoroughfares. “It’s our land, our city and our road,” he reminded citizens, adding that if the public doesn’t care, the government cannot keep a city clean by itself.
The Impact on Public Health
This garbage pile in JP Nagar is not only an aesthetic nightmare, but also a breeding place for germs. These piles of garbage rot quickly as there are rains in Bengaluru with monsoon-style unpredictability and they have an unpleasant smelly and predatory smell, especially for stray dogs and pests. For the residents of Shakambari Nagar, the “black spots” surrounding them are a nightmare every day.
Aniruddha’s Call to Action
Aniruddha through his awareness drive urged the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to act urgently and the "Greater Bengaluru Authority" (GBA) to introduce more rigorous monitoring systems. But his strongest message was to the people of Bengaluru. He urged people not to treat the streets as garbage cans to take pride in keeping the neighborhoods clean.
“Our city’s beauty lies in our hands,” he said, while urging the whole people to take it upon themselves to restore Bengaluru to its lost former greatness.
